Sanitary napkin with garment attachment panels

ABSTRACT

An elongated sanitary napkin has deflectable longitudinal side edges formed by an edge or peripheral seal along the opposite sides of an absorbent. A garment attachment panel is secured to the underside of each side edge. A fixed portion of the panel is bonded flat against the side edge so that a free portion of the panel, extending from the fixed portion, is directed inward and downward. During use, the panels are fastened together beneath an undergarment crotch portion by hook and loop type fastener. Fastener and panels are sized so that when fastened the panels exert a pull on the side edges, controlling their deflection and, for example, preventing them from folding in over the absorbent. The garment attachment panels confine the undergarment crotch portion under the absorbent so that, for example, an elasticized edge of the crotch portion is prevented from pulling up and onto the absorbent.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to sanitary napkins and more particularlyto a sanitary napkin with an elongated absorbent pad and a pair ofgarment attachment panels. The garment attachment panels control thelateral disposition of the edges of the crotch portion of anundergarment and the deflection or configuration assumed by the sideedges of the absorbent pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The basic form of sanitary napkins, upon which the presentinvention is an improvement, are well known. In a typical structure, anabsorbent is enclosed between a bodyside liquid-permeable cover and agarment side liquid-impermeable baffle. The cover and baffle may extendbeyond the absorbent and be bonded together to form a “side edge” orperipheral seal. In use, the sanitary napkin is mounted on the crotchportion of an undergarment such as a panty and, for convenience indescription, the working environment of the invention will be assumed tobe in a panty as worn by a female. However, the inventive concept mayalso be applied to infant care, child care, and adult care incontinentgarments.

[0003] Another form of conventional sanitary napkin, a flat pad withgarment attachment panels (wings or flaps), potentially offers somefunctional improvements and advantages over a plain pad. Typically, theform of this product before use is a flat pad with a pair of oppositegarment attachment panels extending laterally outward from an absorbent.The garment attachment panels are often an extension of the conventionalcover and baffle between which the absorbent is sandwiched. In use, theabsorbent element overlays the crotch portion of the panty in the normalway and the garment attachment panels are folded under to encircle thecrotch portion. The garment attachment panels may be secured beneath, toeach other, and/or to the panty crotch portion, by suitable adhesive ormechanical fasteners. In use, the relative lateral disposition of thepoint at which each of the panels are folded (line of fold) isdetermined substantially by the user, in somewhat random fashion.Between users, or successive applications by a single user, there may besubstantial variation in “fit” and working configuration with respect tothe spacing of the fold in the panel from the edge of the absorbent andwith respect to the disposition of the panty elastic relative to theedge of the absorbent (and to the fold). Performance of the napkin mayvary accordingly.

[0004] The garment attachment panels on flat conventional pads typicallyare designed to wrap around or fold over the panty elastic and form anupward element that fits into the groin of the wearer. Typically, thegarment attachment panels are nonabsorbent or minimally absorbent and sothis arrangement places additional nonabsorbent material in the crotchregion and, during use, the added material has a tendency to fold overonto the absorbent element. For the comfort and protection of anappropriate fit in the groin, the user is dependent upon appropriatedisposition and behavior of the panty elastic.

[0005] Van Tilburg (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,589,876 and 4,687,478) andMattingly (U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,047) disclose variations on and potentialimprovements over the general form of a flat pad with garment attachmentpanels referred to above.

[0006] The teachings in the two Van Tilburg patents are substantiallysimilar. They show a flat pad with laterally extending panels which foldover the panty elastic (crotch portion edge) but do not encircle thecrotch portion. Each panel has two substantially parallel “lines ofjuncture” which provide “axes of flexibility” to help determine wherethe panel folds-upward in relation to the absorbent edge and downwardover the elastic edge of the panty. In use, it is intended that thepanty elastic is pulled up into the groin so that the panel, enfoldedabout it, lies against the laterally outward facing surfaces of thelabia majora, forming a dam against lateral flow of fluid. However, thedesired configuration is not easily obtained in practice. Because thepanty elastic is allowed to go up into the groin, the garment attachmentpanels must be of sufficient length to cover the panty elasticthroughout the length of the labia majora. Making the garment attachmentpanels long can create a problem in that the end portions of the garmentattachment panels (toward the front and back of the pad) which have beenfolded around the panty crotch are “fighting” with the panty elasticwhich is flaring out and cupping to the body. This can result indiscomfort for the user and can cause the panels to come loose from thepanty during wear. When the panels come loose the panty elastic willtend to push the panels up onto the absorbent.

[0007] The teaching of Mattingly is essentially that described above fora conventional flat pad with garment attachment panels but thedisclosure is directed particularly to the “drapability” or sufficientflexibility of the panels. The panels may be folded at any lateral pointto match the width of the panty crotch portion and avoid wrinkling. Thepanels may be of sufficient length to encircle the crotch portion andadhere to each other or to the panty. Mattingly recognizes the problemof the tendency of the panty crotch edge “to enfold onto the body facingsurface of the napkin” but he suggests allowing the folded panelconfiguration to be determined by panty crotch width rather thanproviding positive control of the juxtaposition of the panty elasticwith the edge of the absorbent element.

[0008] The teachings in McCoy (U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,320), Salerno (U.S.Pat. No. 4,940,462) and Seidy (U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,918) departsubstantially from the form of conventional flat pads with garmentattachment panels described above. In that form and before use, thepanels are essentially lateral extensions of the cover and/or bafflesurfaces of the pad. But in McCoy, separate panels are affixed beneaththe absorbent, each at a point inward from the longitudinal edge of theabsorbent. This enables the panels to be folded around the crotchportion of the panty, gathering the crotch portion under the absorbentand removing its edges from proximity with the edges of the absorbentand the possibility of becoming wet or stained. But attachment of thepanels inward of the absorbent risks gathering the panty crotch so muchthat the user feels some discomfort. The thinner the pad and the widerthe panty crotch, the more likely this is to occur. If the absorbent ismade wider to avoid this problem, users with narrow crotch widths willexperience some discomfort.

[0009] In Salerno, the garment attachment panels, which may compriseextensions of the cover or baffle portions of the sanitary napkin, arelongitudinally expandable. Such panels, folded over a side of the crotchportion of an undergarment, may more readily conform to the contour ofthe undergarment and “provide lateral protection without bunching of theundergarment.” But Salerno does not suggest use of the garmentattachment panels to control lateral disposition of the undergarmentcrotch portion edge and, particularly, not of an elasticized edge inrelation to an absorbent element in such a way as to prevent theelasticized edge from pulling in on top of the absorbent. Salerno'sdesign does not particularly limit the disposition of the garmentattachment panels when secured. They do not overlap and fasten togetherto establish a predetermined configuration when in use.

[0010] In Seidy, the “garment attachment panels” are truncated andsupported at the opposite lateral edges of the absorbent, extendinginwardly and somewhat stiffly in a “prefolded flexible position.” Thisenables the panty crotch portion to be maneuvered into position underthe absorbent and retained by the panels without the need for additionalattachment adhesive.

[0011] As with Mattingly, the McCoy, Salerno and Seidy patents areprimarily concerned with various aspects of treatment of the pantycrotch portion in relation to the sanitary napkin. Mattingly teaches theavoidance of wrinkling; McCoy teaches a particular approach to shieldingthe crotch portion from wetting and staining; Salerno teaches“side-protection along the entire longitudinal edges of the napkin”without bunching of the undergarment; and Seidy teaches the provision ofpanty edge shielding flaps without requiring “additional attachmentadhesive.”

[0012] None of these references suggest making use of garment attachmentpanels to enhance directly the performance of the sanitary napkin as awhole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly it is a general object of the invention to provide asanitary napkin with garment attachment panels which perform theirintended function of protecting the undergarment crotch portion andanchoring the sanitary napkin to it while permitting the absorbentportion of the napkin to conform to the body of the user.

[0014] This object may be achieved in a sanitary napkin which includesan elongated absorbent pad having opposite longitudinal side edges whichare deflectable with respect to a central portion of the pad. The padincludes an absorbent contained between a liquid-permeable cover and aliquid-impermeable baffle. The pad includes a control mechanism carriedby the pad, adjacent the side edges, for selectively controlling thedeflection of the side edges so as to optimize the function of thesanitary napkin.

[0015] The control mechanism may comprise at least one garmentattachment panel, normally extending generally downward and inward fromits attachment at or adjacent to one of the deflectable side edges. Inuse, the garment attachment panel is anchorable under the crotch portionof an undergarment so as to confine the crotch portion and substantiallydefine its lateral disposition relative to the pad, and particularly tothe absorbent portion of the pad.

[0016] The garment attachment panel may include a fixed portion attachedto the underside of the pad and a free portion extending as acontinuation of the fixed portion and diverging from the underside ofthe pad. In use, the lateral disposition of the fixed portion of thepanel with respect to the pad may define an outer lateral limit ofdisposition for a side edge of the crotch portion of an undergarment.

[0017] An anchoring mechanism for securing the garment attachment panelsbeneath the undergarment crotch portion may provide only a limited rangeof adjustment so as to facilitate accurate mounting of the sanitarynapkin on the undergarment.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary napkinwith a mechanism for positively controlling the disposition of the sideedges of the crotch portion of an undergarment and particularly anelasticized edge (panty elastic). A more specific object of theinvention is to provide a sanitary napkin with a control mechanism forpulling the panty elastic and holding it under the absorbent or at leastno higher than closely alongside a lateral edge of the absorbent.

[0019] A further object of the invention is to provide a sanitary napkinwith garment attachment panels which, in use, exert a pull on the sideedges of the pad thus overcoming any tendency for the side edges to foldin over the absorbent.

[0020] Still another object of the invention is to provide a sanitarynapkin in which the control exercised on the side edges by a pair ofgarment attachment panels helps to bias the pad convexly upwards,conforming more closely to the body and bringing it closer to the sourceof menstrual flow.

[0021] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sanitarynapkin having a control mechanism which prevents the elasticized edge ofan undergarment crotch portion from folding up and over the absorbent.

[0022] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sanitarynapkin in which the absorbent is free to conform to the body. A furtherspecific object is to provide a sanitary napkin which controls pantyelastic disposition so that bias of the panty elastic may assist inconforming the absorbent to the body.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a top or bodyside view of a sanitary napkin according tothe invention with its garment attachment panels spread open as they maybe before installation.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a bottom or garment side view of the sanitary napkinwith the garment attachment panels closed.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken on line 3-3.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of an alternative embodiment ofthe invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view of the sanitarynapkin shown in FIGS. 1-3 showing the attached relationship of a garmentattachment panel to the edge seal.

[0029]FIGS. 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of a thirdembodiment of a sanitary napkin of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of theinvention taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of a fourth embodiment of theinvention.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a bottom or garment side view of a fifth embodiment ofthe invention.

[0033]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment, similarto a view taken on line 1-11 of FIG. 10 but with the garment attachmentpanels closed.

[0034]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a typical in-useconfiguration of the sanitary napkin shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0035]FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of typical in-useconfigurations of the sanitary napkin shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, a sanitary napkin 10 is shownwhich represents an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It comprisesan elongated absorbent pad 12 and a pair of garment attachment panels 14and 16.

[0037] The form and construction of the absorbent pad 12 is generallyconventional and it will be described only briefly. An absorbent 18 isenclosed between a liquid-permeable cover 20 and a liquid-impermeablebaffle 22. The baffle 22 carries a longitudinally central strip ofgarment adhesive 24, covered before use by a conventional peel strip orrelease paper 26.

[0038] The cover 20 and the baffle 22 extend beyond the absorbent 18 andare bonded together to form an edge or peripheral seal 28 extending froma seal line 30, closely bordering the absorbent 18, to an outerperipheral edge 32. Along the opposite longitudinal sides of theabsorbent pad 12, the edge seal 28 defines opposite longitudinal sideedges 34 and 36 of the absorbent pad 12, extending laterally fromclosely adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges 38 and 40 of theabsorbent 18. The side edges 34 and 36 have upper and lower walls 42, 44and 46, 48 respectively, formed by the respective extensions of thecover 20 and the baffle 22.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 5, the garment attachment panels 14 and 16 areidentical apart from the anchoring elements they carry and, therefore,only one will be described. The garment attachment panel 14 consists ofa generally rectangular sheet of material which, in assembly, has afixed or attachment portion 50 and, extending from it, a free portion52. The attachment portion 50 overlays and is bonded to the lower wall46 of the side edge 34. The attachment area extends from an outer edge54 adjacent to the peripheral edge 32, to an inner edge or effectivepoint of attachment 56. The effective point of attachment is equivalentto the lateral limit of the garment attachment panel. The free portion52 of the garment attachment panel 14 diverges from or hinges at theeffective point of attachment 56 and normally extends generally downwardand inward.

[0040] The anchoring elements of the garment attachment panels 14 and16, referred to above, comprise a mechanical fastener of conventionalhook and loop type fabric—a relatively small patch 58 of loop materialon the garment attachment panel 14 and a smaller patch 60 of hookmaterial on panel 16. The fastener elements 58 and 60 are located sothat the panels 14 and 16 may be anchored together under the absorbent18 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12.

[0041] The invention may be practiced successfully with absorbent padsof a wide range of sizes and proportions as indicated in the followingexemplary Table 1. TABLE 1 Dimensions (inches) Nominal Range PreferredRange Pad 12: Length 9.0  7.0-13.0  8.0-11.0 Width 3.5 2.0-4.5 2.5-4.0Panel 14, 16: Length 2.0 1.0-5.0 1.5-3.0 Width 2.25  1.5-2.75 1.75-2.5 Attachment Width (Wa) 0.25 0.125-0.5  0.125-0.5 

[0042] Exemplary ranges of size (dimensions in inches) for the loop andhook fastener elements 58 and 60 are as indicated in the following Table2. TABLE 2 Range Preferred Range Hook Element 60-Width Wh 0.25-1.00.25-0.5  Loop Element 58-Width Wl 0.25-1.5 0.5-1.0 Hook Element60-Length Lh 0.25-3.0 0.25-1.5  Loop Element 58-Length Ll 0.25-3.00.5-1.5

[0043] The scope of the invention also permits the use of a variety ofmaterials, as well as variations in configuration. Other pad outlineshapes are possible, such as barrel, rectangular or hourglass. Inalternative designs, absorbent material could extend into the side edges34 and 36.

[0044] Suitable materials for the garment attachment panels 14 and 16include polymeric foams, nonwovens, elastomerics, or composites of thesematerials.

[0045] With regard to the anchoring means 58 and 60 for the garmentattachment panels 14 and 16, alternative mechanical fasteners arepossible. Adhesive fastening may also be used but the potentialprecision of a mechanical fastener is preferred as will be discussedfurther below.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the invention isshown. Here, a sanitary napkin 210 is shown having an absorbent pad 212with a second exemplary size and shape of garment attachment panels 214and 216. The panels 214 and 216 are carried by the longitudinal sideedges 234 and 236 of absorbent pad 212. In this example, the garmentattachment panels 214 and 216 are longer at their effective attachmentpoints 256.

[0047] There are many suitable alternative arrangements for making thejuncture between the absorbent pad and the garment attachment panel.Preferably, any arrangement should provide an “effective attachmentpoint” on the underside of a side edge 34, 36 and 234, 236 respectively,and inset from its outer periphery, as exemplified at 256 and 56, seeFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. The garment attachment panel may, forexample, be formed from an extension of the cover and/or the baffle ofthe absorbent pad. It may be a separate piece of material, wrapping overthe side edges 34 and 36 with the free portion of panel diverging fromthe underside of the side edge. The fixed portion 50 of the garmentattachment panel may be bonded between the layered components of theside edge, the material of the panel emerging to fold downward andinward under the pad, to function as the garment attachment panel.

[0048] Another mode of attachment of a garment attachment panel is shownin FIG. 11. Here, compared with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5,the attachment configuration for a garment attachment panel has beenreversed. The fixed portion of the panel has been laid on the undersideof a “side edge” with the panels initially directed outward. Thisembodiment will be discussed in more detail below.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a third embodiment of theinvention is shown. Here, a sanitary napkin 310 is depicted having agenerally conventional elongated absorbent pad 312 and a pair of garmentattachment panels 314 and 316. An absorbent 318 is contained between aliquid-permeable cover 320 and a liquid-impermeable baffle 322. Thecover 320 completely wraps the absorbent, overlapping on the garmentside 323 of the pad and thus overlaying the baffle 322. A strip ofgarment adhesive 324 which is protected by a peel strip 326 are providedon the garment side 323 of the pad. The cover 320 is sealed at each ofits opposite ends by an end seal 328.

[0050] In this third embodiment, the garment attachment panels 314 and316 may be similar in construction and range of size and shape to thosesuggested above for the garment attachment panels 14 and 16. Themechanical fastener provided for the garment attachment panels 314 and316 may also be similar in all respects to that of the first embodimentand is represented by the hook and loop type fastener elements. Thefastener includes a loop patch 358 and hook patch 360 carried by thepanels 314 and 316, respectively. The mounting of the garment attachmentpanels 314 and 316 on the longitudinally central portions of theopposite side edges 334 and 336 of the pad 312 is similar and,therefore, only one will be described. As is conventional, the pad 312has a generally smooth outer surface and the side edges 334 and 336 arewell rounded. A fixed portion 350 of the panel 314 wraps an upperportion of the side edge 334 extending from a fixed portion outer edge354 to an effective point of attachment 356. The effective point ofattachment 356 is at the side of the rounded side edge 334 so that afree portion 352 of the garment attachment panel, before use, may extendgenerally tangentially downward from the side edge. The garmentattachment panel 314 may be secured to the side edge 334 by any suitablemeans such as the spaced apart strips of construction adhesive 362 and364 shown in FIG. 8.

[0051] Still referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, satisfactory performance ofthe wrapped pad 312 is obtained with some variation of the degree ofwrap of the fixed portions 350, of the garment attachment panels 314 and316, about the rounded side edge 334.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 9, an absorbent pad 412 is shown having a pairof garment attachment panels 414 and 416 carried by the oppositelongitudinal rounded side edges 434 and 436 of the pad 412. Theattachment of the garment attachment panel 414 is typical and includes afixed or attached portion 450 and a free portion 452. The free portion452 diverges from the pad 414 at an effective attachment point 456. Thelimits of the fixed portion 450 are defined substantially by spacedapart upper and lower construction adhesive strips 462 and 464. Takentogether, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 represent a preferredrange of disposition of an effective attachment point for a garmentattachment panel on a wrapped pad. This range varies from being alignedapproximately horizontal alongside the rounded edge, as at 356 in FIG.8, to a disposition at a lower portion of the rounded edge, as at 456 inFIG. 9.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a fifth embodiment of a sanitarynapkin 510 is shown. This is in effect a sanitary napkin with “doublepanels”. The sanitary napkin 510 includes an elongated absorbent pad 512and a pair of garment attachment panels 514 and 516. The pad 512 is inmost respects conventional. An absorbent 518 is contained between aliquid-permeable cover 520 and a liquid-impermeable baffle 522. Agarment adhesive strip 524 is protected by a conventional peel strip526. Lateral extensions of the cover 520 and the baffle 522 are bondedtogether to form an edge seal 528. The edge seal 528 extends from a sealline 530 surrounding the absorbent 518. Unconventionally, thelongitudinal side portions of the edge seal 528 are broadened to defineopposite longitudinal side edges 534 and 536 of the pad 512 and to givethe pad 512 an oval or diamond shaped (“Stealth”) appearance, see FIG.10.

[0054] Major longitudinal central portions of the extended side edges534 and 536 define opposite outer garment attachment panels 513 and 515.These panels have upper and lower walls 542, 544 and 546, 548respectively, and are bounded outwardly by opposite peripheral edges 532and 533 and inwardly, approximately, by the opposite lateral side edges538 and 540 of the absorbent 518. The inner or main garment attachmentpanels 514 and 516 may be similar in all respects to those describedabove, for example, in connection with the first embodiment. As amechanical fastener, they carry relatively small patches of hook andloop type fastener; in particular a loop portion 558 and a hook portion560. The panels 514 and 516 are similar and, therefore, only theattachment arrangement of the garment attachment panel 514 will bedescribed. A fixed or attachment portion 550 of the panel is bonded tothe lower or inner wall 546 of the outer panel 513. It extends from aninner edge 554 to an effective attachment point 556, from which a freeportion 552 of the garment attachment panel diverges to extend, duringuse, inwardly and somewhat downwardly.

[0055] The embodiment of the invention represented by FIGS. 10 and 11may be used successfully with a wide range of dimensions, as indicatedby the examples given in Table 3. TABLE 3 Dimensions (inches) NominalRange Preferred Range Pad 512-length 9.0  7.0-13.0  8.0-11.0 Absorbent518-width 3.0 2.0-4.5 2.5-4.0 Outer panel 513, 515 length 5.0 3.0-7.04.0-6.0 width 1.25 0.75-1.75 0.75-1.5  Garment Attachment Panel 514, 516length 2.0 1.0-5.0 1.5-3.0 width 2.0  1.5-2.75 1.75-2.5  attachmentwidth 0.25 0.125-0.5  0.125-0.5 

[0056] The modes of using and performance characteristics of allembodiments of the invention disclosed herein are similar and will bedescribed first with reference to the first embodiment, the sanitarynapkin 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 12.

[0057] In preparation for use, the peel strip 26 is removed from theabsorbent pad 12 exposing the garment adhesive 24. With the garmentattachment panels 14 and 16 in an open position, the absorbent pad 12 iscentered and mounted on the crotch portion 130 of an undergarment in theusual way. Next, after ensuring that the panty crotch portion 130 isuniformly distributed over the underside of the baffle 22, the garmentattachment panels 14 and 16 are closed by bringing together the hook andloop fastener elements 58 and 60. As seen in the drawings, thesefastener elements are relatively small. In fastening the panels 14 and16, the degree of overlap of the fastener elements 58 and 60 may varysomewhat, providing some adjustability or variation in the tightness orsnugness with which the panels 14 and 16 are fastened and a user maychoose to make some individual use of this factor. However, the range ofadjustment is intentionally limited. The range provided in a given padis large enough to make it easy for the user to install the product, butsmall enough to ensure that it is always installed so that it willfunction as intended. Some preferred ranges of adjustment are indicatedin Table 2 for the fastener elements 58 and 60.

[0058] The range of lateral adjustment is determined by thecorresponding width dimensions (Wl) of the loop element 58 and widthdimension (Wh) of the hook element 60. Normally, the garment attachmentpanels 14 and 16 are fastened so that the fastener elements 58 and 60are approximately centered, one on the other, as indicated in FIG. 12.The configuration of the sanitary napkin of the invention, including therange of adjustment provided for the fasteners 58 and 60, is such thatwhen the garment attachment panels 14 and 16 are properly fastened, thepanty crotch portion 130 is always confined beneath the pad. This meansthat the crotch portion edge and the panty leg elastic 132 are disposedlaterally substantially no further out than the edges 38 and 40 of theabsorbent 18. Alternatively, the crotch portion 130 should be no higherthan alongside its lateral sides.

[0059] The limit of the lateral disposition of the panty elastic 132 isdetermined by the “stop” provided at the effective attachment point 56of the respective garment attachment panels 14 and 16. The chosenlocation for the effective attachment point 56 is important to thefunction of the sanitary napkin. If it is too far in on the side edges34 and 36, and hence too close to the longitudinal side edges 38 and 40and to the seal line 30, the pull or tension set up in the garmentattachment panels 14 and 16 when they are fastened will have relativelylittle effect in controlling deflection of the side edges 34 and 36. Ifthe effective attachment point 56 is too far out on the side edges 34and 36, the pull of the garment attachment panels 14 and 16, whenfastened, may cause an undesirable extreme downward distortion of theside edges.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, when the effective width (We) of the sideedges 34 and 36 is in the range from about 0.25 to about 1.0 inches, apreferred range of width (Wa) for the fixed attachment portion 50 of thepanel is from about 0.125 to about 0.5 inches. A preferred spacing (D)between the effective point of attachment 56 and the absorbent sideedges 38 and 40 is in the range of about one third to three quarters ofthe width (We) of the side edges 34 and 36.

[0061] When the panty leg elastic 132 is shielded by controlling itsposition rather than by simply covering it with a simple long garmentattachment panel, as is taught in Van Tilburg, a shorter garmentattachment panel may be used effectively. See the preferred range ofpanel lengths of about 1.5 to about 3.0 inches shown in Table 1 above.With shorter panels, the possible discomfort of longer panels andinconvenience of their “popping open” is avoided.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 12, the sanitary napkin 10 is mounted on thecrotch portion 130 of the undergarment. Before the undergarment ispulled up, the garment attachment panels 14 and 16 are fastened with thefastener elements 58 and 60 approximately centered, one on the other,and the side edges 34 and 36 of the pad are thus pulled down slightlyand the absorbent 18 arches convexly upwards. FIG. 12 shows how asanitary napkin so adjusted may appear during use. The side edges 34 and36 are folded downward and “gasket” comfortably against the thighs 134.The upwardly convex form of the absorbent 18 fits more closely to thesource of the menstrual flow and more comfortably against the labia 136.

[0063] Important aspects of the invention are control of the deflectionof the side edges, such as the side edges 34 and 36, of the absorbentpad and control of the edges 132 of the crotch portion 130 of anundergarment.

[0064] As discussed above, fastening the garment attachment panels 14and 16 helps configure the absorbent pad 12 for effective use. Inaddition, when they are properly fastened, the downward pull of thegarment attachment panels 14 and 16 on the side edges of the absorbentpad 12 prevent the edges of the pad 12 from collapsing against orfolding in on top of the absorbent during preparation for, or duringuse.

[0065] The key to the control of the edges of the crotch portion 130 ofthe undergarment, particularly when the edges are elasticized, is thedisposition, during use, of the effective attachment point 56 of thegarment attachment panel. The disposition of this attachment point 56establishes a limit or stop for lateral disposition of the panty elastic132. Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the panty elasticis confined to being under the absorbent side edges 38 and 40, or nohigher than alongside the absorbent side edge. This control prevents thepanty elastic from pulling in onto the top of the absorbent. Anotherpositive result of the panty elastic disposition control is that withthe elastic held under the absorbent side edges, the panty elastic mayhelp to bias the absorbent upwards for a better fit to the body.

[0066] Another advantage of the invention is that the configuration ofthe sanitary napkin, and particularly that of the fastened garmentattachment panels 14 and 16, is such that, in preparation for use, auser cannot inadvertently fold and fasten the garment attachment panels14 and 16 over the panty elastic 132 in such a way as to allow the pantyelastic to pull the panel itself up into the groin.

[0067] Turning now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14, a third embodiment ofthe invention is shown wherein the garment attachment panels 314 and 316force or hold the panty elastic 132 under the absorbent 318.Particularly in this case, the sides of the absorbent 338 and 340 areallowed to fold and fit into the groin and thighs of the wearer. Thegarment attachment panels 314 and 316 also protect the panty elasticfrom side stain or smear by preventing the elastic from overlapping theside edges 338 and 340 of the absorbent core. The pull of the garmentattachment panels may also buckle the absorbent into a convex shape forbetter fit to the body.

[0068]FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of two typicalconfigurations of sanitary napkins according to the third embodimentduring use. In FIG. 14, the garment attachment panels 314 and 316 arefastened together somewhat more tightly than in FIG. 13, resulting in agreater upward convexity of the absorbent 318. Note the difference inoverlap of the panels 314 and 316 and the fastener elements 358 and 360in the two drawings. In the resulting configuration of FIG. 13, theedges 338 and 340 of the absorbent are raised and folded somewhat to fitinto the groin 138 of the wearer without any interference from the pantyelastic or the garment attachment panel. The panty leg elastic 132 isprotected under the absorbent and helps to force the absorbent edge intothe groin. The disposition of the effective attachment point 356prevents the panty leg elastic from going up into the groin.

[0069] In FIG. 14, the relatively tighter fastening of the garmentattachment panels 314 and 316 tends to pull the side edges 338 and 340of the absorbent somewhat downward, arching the absorbent, and allowingthe absorbent edges to fit closely to the thighs. The panty leg elastic132, held under the absorbent by the garment attachment panels, assistsin biasing the center of the absorbent into an arch that fits into thelabia.

[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a “double panel” embodiment isshown. This embodiment is not shown in use, but the basic configurationof this embodiment apart from the addition of the outer panels 513 and515, is very similar to that of the first embodiment, see FIG. 3. Inuse, the basic function of the garment attachment panels 514 and 516 issimilar to that of the first embodiment but the addition of the outerpanels 513 and 515 provides some modification of the performance.

[0071] In use, the garment attachment panels 514 and 516 pull the outerpanels 513 and 515 down against the edge of the panty elastic 132 andthe user's thighs 134 allowing these panels to protect the panty fromside staining or smearing. The garment attachment panels 514 and 516also assist with protection, fit, and comfort by forcing the pantyelastic 132 under the absorbent 518 and preventing the panty elasticfrom pushing the outer panels or the elastic itself onto the top of theabsorbent. Collectively, the panels also enhance fit and protection byreducing pad bunching during wear. Additional material may beincorporated into the outer panels 513 and 515 for absorbency. However,the panels are designed to be soft and conformable for optimum fit tothe body and for comfort. The garment attachment panels 514 and 516 maybe made from a variety of materials but are preferably stiffer than theouter panels, to assist in their function of holding the panty elasticunder the pad. The stiffness and outwardly directed attachment of thegarment attachment panels 514 and 516 makes it less likely that theywill be caught on the garment adhesive 524 during installation.

[0072] Another feature of sanitary napkins of the fifth embodiment isthat, given the extra protection afforded by the outer panels 513 and515, the garment attachment panels 514 and 516 may be sized so that theydo not bunch the distal portions of the panty crotch elastic, therebyenhancing comfort. The garment attachment panels 514 and 516 also reducepad bunching by helping to maintain the width of the pad and preventingits sides from collapsing in towards the center. While the garmentattachment panels hold the center portions of the panty crotch under thepad, the longer outer panels 513 and 515 provide additional coverage ofthe distal portions of the panty elastic. The outer panels 513 and 515are preferably soft and flexible and do not fasten to each other or tothe undergarment so that they are free to comfortably gasket against thethighs for improved protection.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 11, the outwardly directed attachment of thegarment attachment panel 514 may be moved or extended so that theeffective attachment point is further out on the outer panel 513. Suchan arrangement would exercise more direct control of a longitudinallycentral portion of the outer panel 513. The garment attachment panels514 and 516 would still maintain the function of controlling pantyelastic disposition under the absorbent as long as the garmentattachment panels 514 and 516 and their fastener arrangement were sizedappropriately, as described above.

We claim:
 1. A sanitary napkin for mounting onto the bodyside of acrotch portion of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodilyexcretions, comprising: (a) an elongated absorbent pad having alongitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and oppositelongitudinal side edges, said side edges being deflectable with respectto said central portion, and including an absorbent contained between abodyside, liquid-permeable cover and a garment side, liquid-impermeablebaffle; and (b) control means for selectively controlling deflection ofat least one of said side edges during use.
 2. The sanitary napkin ofclaim 1 wherein said control means comprises a garment attachment panel,normally extending generally downward and inward from said absorbent padadjacent to at least one of said side edges, and in use, anchorableunder said crotch portion of said undergarment so as to confine saidcrotch portion and substantially define its lateral disposition.
 3. Thesanitary napkin of claim 2 wherein said undergarment has leg openingsand said crotch portion has generally longitudinally oriented side edgesdefined by said leg openings, and said garment attachment panel includesa fixed portion attached to the underside of said absorbent pad towardssaid at least one side edge and defining a garment panel attachment anda free portion diverging from the underside of said absorbent pad for,during use, extending under said crotch portion of said undergarment,the lateral disposition of said fixed portion of said garment attachmentpanel with respect to said absorbent pad defining an outer lateral limitfor disposition of said side edge of said crotch portion of saidundergarment.
 4. The sanitary napkin of claim 3 and further comprising asecond garment attachment panel, normally extending generally downwardand inward from said absorbent pad and positioned adjacent to the otherside edge of said absorbent pad, and during use, anchorable under saidcrotch portion of said undergarment, said second garment attachmentpanel comprising a fixed portion attached to the underside of saidabsorbent pad towards a second side edge of said absorbent pad and afree portion diverging from the underside of said absorbent pad for,during use, extending under said crotch portion of said undergarment,and including means for anchoring said free portions of said garmentattachment panels so as to establish a predetermined deflection of saidabsorbent side edges and to facilitate accurate mounting of saidsanitary napkin on said undergarment.
 5. The sanitary napkin of claim 4wherein said means for anchoring said free portions of said garmentattachment panels comprises mating fastener elements, one on each ofsaid garment attachment panels, said fastener elements being configuredas to provide substantially only a single predetermined lateralrelationship of one garment attachment panel to the other.
 6. Thesanitary napkin of claim 4 wherein the predetermined deflection of saidside edges and the predetermined particular confinement of said sideedges of said crotch portion of said undergarment biases said absorbentpad into an upwardly convex form, closely fitting the body.
 7. Thesanitary napkin of claim 3 wherein said absorbent is longitudinallyextending and has opposite longitudinal side edges and the deflectableside edges of the absorbent pad normally extend generally laterally withrespect to said absorbent and, during use, the anchoring of said garmentattachment panel configures said sanitary napkin so that each side edgeof said crotch portion of said undergarment is supported approximatelyno higher than a side edge of said absorbent.
 8. The sanitary napkin ofclaim 7 wherein the lateral disposition of said fixed portion of saidgarment attachment panel and the anchoring of said garment attachmentpanel configure said sanitary napkin so that each side edge of saidcrotch portion of said undergarment is supported approximately beneath aside edge of said absorbent and said absorbent is free to conform to thebody of the user.
 9. The sanitary napkin of claim 7 wherein each sideedge of said crotch portion of said undergarment is, in use, undertension and biases each side edge of said absorbent upwards.
 10. Thesanitary napkin of claim 4 wherein said fixed portion of said garmentattachment panels are disposed so that each side edge of said crotchportion of said undergarment is restrained adjacent to a side edge ofsaid absorbent pad and prevented from overlaying said absorbent pad. 11.The sanitary napkin of claim 3 wherein at least one of said side edgesof said absorbent pad has a lateral periphery and said absorbent has alongitudinally extending lateral side contiguous with said side edge andsaid attachment of said garment attachment panel has an inner laterallimit from which said free portion of said garment attachment paneldiverges and said inner lateral limit is disposed between said lateralside of said absorbent and said lateral periphery of said side edge ofsaid absorbent pad.
 12. The sanitary napkin of claim 11 wherein saidinner lateral limit of said panel attachment is disposed towards butspaced apart from said lateral side of said absorbent.
 13. The sanitarynapkin of claim 11 wherein said baffle extends laterally outwardly toapproximately said lateral periphery of said at least one of said sideedges and said garment attachment panel is secured to said baffle. 14.The sanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said cover and said baffle extendlaterally beyond said absorbent to define said side edges and saidcontrol means comprises a garment attachment panel which is secured tosaid baffle outwardly of said absorbent.
 15. The sanitary napkin ofclaim 14 wherein, in at least a portion of said side edges, said coverand said baffle are bonded together to form an edge seal.
 16. Thesanitary napkin of claim 1 wherein said side edges of said absorbent padhave an outer peripheral edge and are of sufficient width that, duringuse, at least a portion of each of said side edges may extend beyond anedge of said undergarment crotch portion and extend generally downwardand said control means includes a garment attachment panel attached tosaid garment side of said at least one- side edge at an effectiveattachment point disposed between its outer peripheral edge and saidabsorbent, said garment attachment panel being anchorable under saidcrotch portion to confine said crotch portion and substantially defineits lateral disposition.
 17. A sanitary napkin for mounting onto thebodyside of a crotch portion of an undergarment and, during use,absorbing bodily excretions, comprising: (a) an elongated absorbent padhaving a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion andopposite longitudinal side edges, said side edges being deflectable withrespect to said central portion, and including an absorbent containedbetween a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover and a garment side,liquid-impermeable baffle, at least one of said cover and said baffleextending laterally beyond said absorbent to define said side edges; and(b) at least one garment attachment panel, carried by one of saidopposite side edges and normally extending generally downward and inwardand, during use, anchorable under said crotch portion of saidundergarment, said anchoring at least potentially establishing agenerally downward pull on said side edge and preventing said side edgefrom folding in towards said absorbent.
 18. A sanitary napkin formounting onto the bodyside of a crotch portion of an undergarment, saidcrotch portion having opposite lateral side edges and, during use, saidsanitary napkin absorbing bodily excretions, comprising: (a) anelongated absorbent pad having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinallycentral portion and opposite longitudinal side edges, said side edgesbeing deflectable with respect to said central portion, and including anabsorbent contained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover and agarment side, liquid-impermeable baffle, said longitudinal side edges ofsaid absorbent pad, at least in a longitudinally central portion oftheir length, being widened laterally to define a pair of first sidepanels, each panel having a bodyside and a garment side and said panelsextending sufficiently beyond said absorbent that, during use, saidpanels extend beyond and depend below said side edges of said crotchportion; and (b) a pair of opposite, garment attachment panels securedto said garment side of said absorbent pad for, in use, selectivelycontrolling deflection of said side edges of said absorbent pad.
 19. Thesanitary napkin of claim 18 wherein said garment attachment panels areanchorable under said crotch portion of said undergarment to confinesaid crotch portion and substantially define its lateral disposition.20. The sanitary napkin of claim 19 further including means foranchoring said garment attachment panels to establish a predetermineddeflection of said side edges of said absorbent pad and to facilitateaccurate mounting of said sanitary napkin on said undergarment.
 21. Thesanitary napkin of claim 20 wherein said means for anchoring saidgarment attachment panels comprises mating fastener elements, one oneach panel, said elements being configured to provide substantially onlya single predetermined lateral relationship of one panel to the other.22. The sanitary napkin of claim 18 wherein said garment attachmentpanels are anchorable under said crotch portion of said undergarment andsaid sanitary napkin is configured so that, in use, said crotch edgesare contained, spaced apart, under said absorbent.
 23. The sanitarynapkin of claim 18 wherein said cover and said baffle are bondedtogether to form an edge seal and said garment attachment panels areattached to said baffle side of said edge seal.
 24. The sanitary napkinof claim 18 wherein each of said first side panels at least partiallylongitudinally overlays one of said garment attachment panels and eachof said first side panels has a greater longitudinal extent than thegarment attachment panel which it overlays.
 25. A sanitary napkin formounting onto the body side of a crotch portion of an undergarment and,during use, absorbing bodily excretions, comprising: (a) an elongatedabsorbent pad having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally centralportion and opposite longitudinal side edges, and including an absorbentcontained between a bodyside, liquid-permeable cover and a garment side,liquid-impermeable baffle, said cover and baffle cooperating to wrapsaid absorbent so that said absorbent pad has a generally smooth outersurface and so that said side edges are rounded; and (b) at least onegarment attachment panel attached at one of said rounded side edges sothat, before the mounting of said sanitary napkin onto saidundergarment, said garment attachment panel may extend generallytangentially and downwardly from said rounded side edge.
 26. Thesanitary napkin of claim 25 wherein said crotch portion of saidundergarment includes a pair of opposite, generally longitudinallyextending side edges and, during use, said garment attachment panel isanchorable under said crotch portion so as to confine said crotchport-ion and control the lateral disposition of at least one of saidside edges of said crotch portion of said undergarment.
 27. The sanitarynapkin of claim 26 and further comprising a second garment attachmentpanel attached at the other of said rounded side edges so that, beforethe mounting of said sanitary napkin onto said undergarment, said secondgarment attachment panel may extend generally tangentially anddownwardly from said other of said rounded side edges and matingfastener elements, one on each of said garment attachment panels, andwherein said fastener elements and said garment attachment panels areconfigured so that, during use, said garment attachment panels may befastened together under said crotch portion of said undergarment and,when fastened, provide only a single predetermined lateral relationshipof one garment attachment panel to the other.
 28. The sanitary napkin ofclaim 27 wherein the fastening together of said garment attachmentpanels biases said absorbent pad into an upwardly convex form.
 29. Thesanitary napkin of claim 27 wherein, during use, the fastening togetherof said garment attachment panels controls the lateral disposition ofboth side edges of said crotch portion of said undergarment and definesopposite outer lateral limits of disposition for said side edges of saidcrotch portion adjacent each of said rounded side edges of saidabsorbent pad.
 30. A sanitary napkin for mounting onto the bodyside of acrotch portion of an undergarment and, during use, absorbing bodilyexcretions, comprising: (a) an elongated absorbent pad having alongitudinal axis, a longitudinally central portion and oppositelongitudinal side edges, and including an absorbent contained between abodyside, liquid-permeable cover and a garment side, liquid-impermeablebaffle, said cover and baffle cooperating to wrap said absorbent so thatsaid absorbent pad has a generally smooth outer surface and so that saidside edges are rounded; and (b) at least one garment attachment panelcomprising a sheet of flexible material having contiguous fixed and freeportions, said fixed portion being attached to said absorbent pad insuch a way that, before the mounting of said sanitary napkin onto saidundergarment, said free portion of said garment attachment panel maydiverge generally tangentially from the surface of said absorbent pad atan effective point of attachment and in such a direction that reducingthe divergence would wrap said garment attachment panel under saidabsorbent pad.
 31. The sanitary napkin of claim 30 wherein saideffective point of attachment is laterally alongside one of said roundedside edges.
 32. The sanitary napkin of claim 30 wherein said effectivepoint of attachment is at a lower portion of one of said rounded sideedges.
 33. The sanitary napkin of claim 30 wherein said fixed portion ofsaid garment attachment panel at least partially wraps one of saidrounded side edges of said absorbent pad.
 34. The sanitary napkin ofclaim 30 wherein said crotch portion of said undergarment includes agenerally longitudinally extending side edge and, during use, saidgarment attachment panel extends under said crotch portion and thelateral disposition of said effective point of attachment of saidgarment attachment panel defines an outer lateral limit for dispositionof said side edge of said crotch portion.